Jinshajiang Bridge Hulukou

With most of its height submerged under the deep reservoir formed by the 277 meter tall Baihetan Dam, it maybe be difficult for future generations to appreciate the height of this span without looking at photos taken soon after the completion of the crossing. The truss stiffened suspension bridge is situated on a dramatic location between two mountains near the original town of Hulukouzhen whose buildings are now hidden under a deep layer of water. The original 160 meter span arch bridge that once carried local roads S303, S212 and S310 is also forever entombed by the dark waters of the great Jinshshajiang (Yangtze River).

Located 37 kilometers downstream of the bridge, the Baihetan Dam is reported to be one of the 4 or 5 largest hydroelectric dam producers in the world.

The lake is so deep and long that a second large suspension bridge was constructed 110 kilometers from the dam near Gele, Yunnan Province. Known as the Jindong Jinshajiang Bridge, the 914 meter long structure has a main span of 730 meters.

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

The Hulukou Jinshajiang arch bridge before it was submerged under 200 meters of water. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com

The Hulukou arch bridge before construction began on the suspension bridge.